Autumnal Wanderings

Good morning,

Holy hell it's cold. Ross is awake at 7 and puts on the aircon so I can snuggle whilst he is at the showers. Thank goodness they are hot, hot, hot. The sun is out and it warms quickly though in the shade or wind you need a jacket.

Bi-lo for provisions and we are on the frog and toad - straight to Fitzroy Falls - running well with all the rain of late. We walked quite a way and the views were spectacular, I even went near the edges of the lookout platforms. Thanks mum for the heights phobia - it gets worse as I get older.

Then to Burrawang. - how the other half live beautiful homes and cars - we saw Audi's, Masseratis, McLarens, and Ferraris. The pub looks spectacular for a local. If only it wasn't so cold.

We then drove to Robertson, bought some brilliant cheese and had lunch in the local park. On to Kurrawang and past the driveway of one of Ross's old flames and on to the Centennial Winery where we bought a Chardonnay a Shiraz and a followed by a wander through Berrima and a coffee at the Magpie Cafe.

Southern Highlands Sojourn

Good evening one and all,

Heading to MossVale today so up and at em, pretty miserable day but we are travelling so not a worry. Started to drizzle and the temperature is dropping - oh dear lots of layers and even pulled out my scarf. The trip from Goulburn to Moss Vale is pretty and all the trees are gorgeous even in the rain. Small villages abound with antique shops, art galleries and cafes.

First stop is Bundanoon, cold and wet. The Main Street is cute but nothing riveting until we find the "Garden Cafe" and go in wet and miserable for coffee and scones. One plate of scones were enough for two of us . Home made raspberry jam and gorgeous scones in front of a heater in lovely chairs packed with cushions and the best coffee of the trip, la casa del caffe, brilliant.

On to Moss Vale and a drive through Sutton Forest with the best fruit and veg shop - gross lise tomatoes, pistachio halva, baklava and a huge variety of mushrooms, olive bread, yum yum.  Because it is so wet and cold. Home to Moss Vale Village Park, set up, close down and on with the airconditioner and the heat packs - freaking freezing.  Again an afternoon of reading, tv and iPad. No tea tonight just too full.

Chilly Goulburn

Good morning one and all,

It's going to get cold says Ross, but I didn't think he meant this cold - how did Ross live here for 3 years. We woke to 8 degrees feels like 3 with the wind chill factor so on with the warm clothes. Unfortunately if you are out of the wind or in the sun you start to sweat - so I spent the day putting on and taking of layers.

Goulburn is pretty in Autumn, blue skies and sunshine, roses and coloured trees dropping their leaves. We went on a Tiki tour around Goulburn to the Police Acadamy, goal, War Memorial lookout, lots of churches, the Old Brewery and Alison street where Ross used to live.

Found the Regional Art Gallery, Gallery on Track and a great gallery - South Hill Gallery - great setting and great exhibitions.

Ross shouted me lunch at the Goulburn Workers Club - had the small lamb shanks and then had to go home and rest I was sooooooo full.

Washing in the afternoon and 10 minutes of housework - I just spend my life doing housework - 5 minutes is quick and 10 minutes the long version. I wish home was the same. Papers, book and iPad while we wait for the washing.

Some pictures of our lovely day in Goulburn.

Goulburn via Bungendore

Stayed in another caravan park in Canberra for the last night we tried the Capital Country Van Park. They have about 100 permanents, school bunkhouses, cabins, caravans, tents and on and on. It is neat clean, pretty and quiet. There is heaps of wildlife in the form of roos, rabbits, geese, ducks and birdlife and we would recommend it. Packed up on a chilly morning and headed to Goulburn via Bungendore.

Bungendore is a lovely village about 30 minutes from Canberra, it is small, old and has lots of beautifully restored buildings, art, craft and cafes. We parked and wandered for about 2 hours, the blind duck cafe, photography exhibitions, leather shop and antiques shop that is huge it unfolds as you walk through - could have spent the day there, but gee would hate to have to do the dusting. Ross got the sneezes so we wandered on. The trees are turning orange and gold and red and the weather clear and crisp. Visited the quilting shop for Kate and the woodwork shop the men at school would die for - some excellent projects and ideas - Mark and Jay would have loved it - single test tubes held in turned wood for single bloom vases - have to try it Jay. But most of the items were well out of our budget - in the 10, 20 and even 30,000's - but gorgeous to look at. Late lunch in the park with a great coffee and on to Goulburn.

Canberra Continues

Back again and starting to cool down,

Continuing with the Canberra adventure we circled and toured New Parliament House - it doesn't seem to have the same history or character as the old building but is impressive in itself. There were schools in so we fled ASAP.

The new park is so much closer in to the city (5 minutes from the centre) so home for a nana nap so that we could head to visit the Suines, a family we taught with on Norfolk. They haven't changed a bit except the kids are older. We had a noisy and funny evening, as always a good time at the Suines and organised to meet again.

We had a rest day because Ross felt a bit yuck and I headed into town for a shop  - Zara is not as
great as hoped but I did get a spur of the moment haircut - cheap and cheerful. Looks OK  I suppose,
Ross didn't even notice, typical.

Next day to the Botanic Gardens, National Arboretium (great architecture) a Bonsai exhibition and a drive around Lake Burley Griffin which has so many little nooks and crannies, parks and barbq areas. Canberra is definitely set up for healthy lifestyles. While looking for a shopping centre we found some fresh food markets and bought some prawns and fish for tea - salt water perch - yum yum yum. Also picked up some oysters so down to the lake again and had oysters overlooking the Captain Cook Jet. Learn to sail was on at the same time which made it very picturesque. Also approached by a guy who works for Defence about our van - he liked the look of it! Maybe we should be on commission.

Canberra Capers

Hi guys,

Arrived in Canberra and they had stuffed our booking so we found a site further out of the city and headed out. All good except for the darn kangaroo that kept turning on the sensor light and pooped on the doorstep. the van villages are turning into cabin villages and there arenover 100 here!

Spent the next day looking around Canberra, the leaves are starting to turn and it looks a treat, still warm but cool of an evening. A fun run and marathon had shut many streets but there are people out and about because it is such a beautiful day. Went to the Old Bus Markets  - great but not as big as home. Good food for lunch - rice paper rolls.

Old Parliament House - the Museum of Democracy - well worth the visit, great tour by an older guy who actually knows the Barton family and told great stories of the history of the place and asked questions of a young guide who took us to the Prime Ministers Office etc. Some great stories and interesting too.

Following day was the PortraitGallery and lunch in the van in a great leafy street right near Parliament House..

Best Chinese in Australia

Hello again,
While in Griffith we visited the Murphy Family we taught with them on Norfolk. Dennis had just come home from year 6 tour, 4 people 4 schools, end of term - nup don't miss it at all. They very kindly took the time to cook for us and very yummy too. Ruby has grown up, Lewis is a new addition but they haven't changed a bit and we will happily call in on our next trip through when things are quieter for them.

Next day headed to Canberra, long but lovely trip pottering along, still lots of little stops, coffee, walks and parks. Then onto Harden Murenburra and the best Chinese in Australia. Ross insisted we stop as it had been recommended by our neighbours Dave and Wendy. It looked derelict, even the open sign was crooked. Ross stuck his head in and yes they do takeaway at lunchtime the lovely Chinese lady recommended the pork with special sauce. As we walked out Ross let me know Wendy and Dave didn't actually eat there but they had HEARD.  Main Street was deserted so we sat in the van outside the front door and the lady gave us home delivery. So I wacked it straight in the fridge so we could cool it fast and then reheat for tea.

Knock, knock "did u just put that in the fridge? Much better hot" ok so we tasted and my god it was wonderful. So we ate quite a bit and put the rest in the fridge for tea. Ya gotta laugh "judging books by covers etc" the lady tells us people travel from all over NSW and when they pass through call in.

Highly recommended - looks can be deceiving.

MIA

No not missing in action but Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area - we drove to Hay to break the trip, kilometres of open plains. you watch the trucks heading towards you and it takes 5 minutes for them to get to you. Flat, flat, flat and overnight end in Hay. Small but nice. We found  Sandy Bend on the river, a free camping spot - looks great - beach, toilets, in bush land. Unfortunately no showers, but that would be ok the river is just there, even if a bit cold in April.

On to Griffith with kilometres of almonds and citrus, stone fruit and grapes, then cotton and rice. The food bowl of Australia. The quantities are astounding. A stop at McWilliams for old times sake and an hour later and the van considerably heavier we are on the way into Griffith.

Coffee (Dolce Dolce) good food (O'Donnells) art galleries and parklands. Again found a great free camp site but again no showers. Which is ok as we have our own - next time 4 sure. Again a spur of the moment drop in to Westend owned by the Callabria family saw us tasting a Durif (not keen) but buying some others. An aged Chardonnay - the winemaker came out to check their viability - looked about 10 and had heaps of info and was so friendly - even though we told them we only wanted 1 bottle.

Trentham

Left Mildura to head to Hay so that we didn't put too much pressure on Ross back. Made it about 15 minutes out of Mildura and found a vineyard called Trentham, owned and run by the Murphy family (related to Simone and Dennis from Norfolk days) great vineyard, great gardens, great coffee, and even better great wines at reasonable prices.

We will be back!

Mildura Matters

Heading through to Mildura today and there is kilometres of  citrus and almonds and grapes, lots of birds. We stopped at Berri for coffee on the river and checked out the houseboats. The town is quite big and bustling, a growth area by the look of it. Again great parks and walks and sports facilities.

Bought some great plums in Renmark from an older Italian lady who hardly had any English on the side of the road. Renmark looks great but not as vital as Berri. Had to stop on the way to Mildura its a fruit fly zone and we ate as many plums as we could before dumping all our fruit and vegetables so we didn't destroy the crops in NSW.

Mildura is great the same as ever, we are in a big 4 right on the roundabout. The people who own it
are obviously passionate about their park and it is really well run. There is a bakery outside the back

 fence and Ross went and got croissants for breakfast one morning. A shopping centre across the road and walking distance to "The Rustic Olive" a restaurant recommended by Paul and Kerryn. Thank you so much it was brilliant - great food and plenty of it - had the slow roasted pork belly and lamb fillets with Asian salad. Couldn't even fit in dessert or coffee. What a gem of a place - we would recommend it. We were going to Stefanos degustation menu but it is now around $200 a person and we heard it is great but not for that price. So we didn't go to the Grand at all.

Walked to the weir and saw a wedding party having photos by the river in the big gums - beautiful.

Did the visit to all the old haunts, found the motel we used to stay at and where Ross proposed. Drove the river and walked the parklands, places like Wentworth (were we found the most amazing small art gallery function centre) Coomeallah, GolGol, Red Cliffs and Irymple. Lots of produce and crops, amazing amount of foods grown here, we are indeed a lucky country.

Visited some older friends from Menindee days who have retired to Mildura - Thomasina even has star charts for the over 55's. Great looking complex. They are just back from South America and before that theMediterranean 

Barossa Blues

Woke this morning to the Penguins circling and fleeing the rookery - I rushed out to get a picture for Dick and Nancy - it's not everyday you see half a dozen Penguins all travelling together.

As we were packing up for the move to Clare and making the beds Ross had a twinge in his back - oh dear - we are stuffed. So after we packed up very carefully and visited the physio Ross was able to drive very carefully to Clare where we just had a lazy afternoon with Ross flat on his back. The only light in the day was slapping the huge ice pack on Ross arse and getting him back for all the icing I had to do for my knee. Unfortunately the next day was no better and we had to swap to a cabin so that across could get in and out of the shower better and I could help him if needed.

So the cabin and the ice packs worked well and the next day was much better. As his back warmed up for the day his movement improved and he was in the mood for some more driving and vineyard visits. So we headed of to Kilakanoon - winery of the year in 2012. But bought nothing and then to Skillagalee, where we met a very charming cellar doorman who could talk the leg of an iron pot and a very happy guest who had obviously been sampling for quite a while and recommended the Shiraz and Pinot Gris. Yum yum. Both the are small personal vineyards and the guys chat and are happy even if you don't buy. We are learning lots and Ross is happy to chat. Some pictures of these vineyards below.

On to Annie's Lane and again great people to chat to, they were setting up for a wedding and the gardens were beautiful. South Australia knows how to do tourism. Personal and great value. The weather is great, the people have been lovely and the food, wines, coffee and scenery again all wonderful. Everywhere there are bike tracks and walking paths and great parks. A Gray nomads perfect day. Another vineyard we looked at but didn't taste was Seven Hills - a Jesuit Retreat that happens to make wine.

Back to the Caravan Park and a walk before a lazy read and wine on the verandah - oh yeah and another ice pack - hahahaha revenge is sweet.

Because there is a half marathon on here tomorrow we will have to head of if we want a cottage or cabin so we have checked the map and are heading to a place called Lake Bonnie at Barmera about half way to Mildura. The cabins are old but clean and again Ross can stretch out and it shortens the drive to Mildura. There are so many small towns on rivers and billabongs and lakes in outback SA and they are all flourishing. Anything grows here as long as there is water. We arrived to camp in the middle of a vintage car rally and so had lots to look at as we walked the edge of the lake.

Boozy Barossa

Back again,
Still having trouble with the iPad and blogging, the two systems are at war and I struggle.

The days are flying and we always seem to have something on. Lunch in the parks by the river, vineyard to visit, touristy towns to wander and shops and galleries to peruse. We aren't sick of it yet and as long as we are happy we will doodle on. We are making an effort to walk each day otherwise we will have to buy bigger clothes. So far so good.

It sounds like we are just drinking our way around the Barossa - correct but we only go to one or two or maybe three vineyards a day and there are hundreds. It is not the focus of the whole day by any means and often it is the drive In between that is the highlight.

But on saying that we have been to a few smaller vineyards where the caller an or ladies chat to you and the product is great - it is fun to find a great wine that you've never heard of and support the smaller bloke. So in our travels we went to Charles Melton for Shiraz, Gibsons for Shiraz and Pinot Grigio and Dave they did not have dirty old men, and St Hallets - bigger but Ross got to taste their Old Block Red - and so he was happy.

Then home for sleeps only to be disturbed by 4 helicopters landing in the park to pick up some celebrities that were visiting. They wouldn't let us on or tell us who they were there to pick up. Very hush hush - the talk of the van park.

Another walk before evening through the town, along the river and through a vineyard.

Ps woke to a penguin convention today - so took a photo for Dick n Nancy - a whole rookery of friends with Penguins. Looks quite funny.

Barossa blogging

Hello again,

Continuing our wanders through the Barossa we started the day with perfect clear crisp and sunny weather. The caravan population were out on the common watching a family of kookaburras eat from a guys hand and all was right in the world. The leaves in Nuriootpa are just starting to change and will be brilliant in another week or two.

Straight out to Maggie Beers. I thought it would be just a huge commercial push, but it is quite personal and well set up. There are lots of products and you can taste test pretty much all of it which kept Ross happy. The prices are not too bad and the setting beautiful. In the midst of their farm - a cafe/shop, function centre, orchards, pond with accompanying turtles and pheasant runs. The coffee was great. South Australia (minus Kangaroo Island) has really good coffee.

We continued on and found the oldest - a trip down memory lane - the older vineyards are brilliant from and architectural point of view and often product as well. They were set up as virtual towns when they first opened and had everything on the spot - Seppetsfield, And Tununda are both great examples of this. Huge cellar areas - not always the best wines.

Boozy Rouge

Hi Friends and Family,

The next day we headed into the city again and now we have our bearings, we found the exact same car park or van park as the day before and headed for a bit of culture into the Adelaide Art Gallery  where they were holding a Turner exhibition and the general gallery is great. We spent a couple of hours wandering through and as we left even ran into a wedding on the steps of the beautiful old building. A bit of a wander around town and then home again.

Walking the Linnear Parkand feeding the ducks before dinner was a lovely end to a lovely day.

And of to Nuriootpa and the Barossa on Easter Monday. There are 3 small towns - Anguston, Nuriootpa and Tanunda so close together they are almost the one town - full of old buildings and small cottages, wineries and craft and coffee and lovely trees just changing colour. The days were warm to hot with clear blue skies whilst the evenings and early mornings freezing and crispy.

We went to Anguston for a walk and into the dried fruit company - every dried fruit and nut known to man and we bought chocolate oranges and nougat. Yum Yum. Of to the local pub for a bottle of wine and we are selecting out of the fridge in a tiny little room when I turn around and look up - second floor packed with wines , many local and most South Australian - we could have been here for hours just looking at them all. Paula one for you and Pre.

The next day to Yalumba Harvest Festival - the grounds are like something from England and very
impressive - they open them to the public for the day and local food producers to put on a food fair - a bit like Bangalow Food Festival but the setting is spectacular, music, wine, beautiful people and buildings and food that is quite special - just up our alley.